Steam steering apparatus



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'L. W. BROWN.

STEAM STEERING APPARATUS; No 244,541. Patented Ju1y=19, 1881.

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STEAM STEERING APPARATUS-L No. 24=4';541. Patented July 19,1881;

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7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LINUS W. BROWN, OF ALGIERS, LOUISIANA.

STEAM STEERING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 244,541, dated July 19, 1881. l

Application filed September 6, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, Lnvus W. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing in Algiers, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Steam Steering Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in steering vessels by power-gear, in which the poWer-gearis entirely independent of the handgear and is applied direct to the rudder and the object of my invention is- First, to provide a means by which a vessel can be steered by steam or hydraulic power entirely independent of the tiller-ropes or hand steering-gear. The value of this is apparent from the fact that the hand steering-gear can be erected the same as if no power-gear was applied, and in case of any accident to the power-gear the boat can be steered by the handgear with no delay in disconnecting, and no heavy tiller-ropes or machinery to move when it is desired or required to steer by hand.

Second, to provide a means for the direct application of power to the rudder. The value of this is apparent from the fact that only one cylinder is required, the length of which may be comparativelyshort, and in no way affect the leverage required to steer by the handear.

Third, to provide a means by which the hand-gear can be connected or disconnected quickly and easily. The value of this is apparent in vessels having a rudder at both bow and stern and are steered by only one rudder at the same time.

Fourth, to provide a means by which the Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The quadrant B is loose on the rudder-post A, and is connected to the tiller L by the pin K, the tiller L being made fast to the rudderpost A. Power is communicated to the quadrant B by means of a steel rope, O, fastened to the quadrant at P, and connected to the piston-rod C by the eyes D, which are fastened to the piston-rod by the keys E, as in Fig. 1, or the steel rope 0 may be led over sheaves Y and connected to the eyes D, fastened to each end of the piston-rod U by the keys E, as in Fig. 4. Power is communicated to the pistonrod .by'admitting either steam or hydraulic pressure through the ports I into the cylinder Gr acting on the piston H. The piston-rod O is held in position by the brackets F. When convenient, the cylinder G and the brackets F can be secured to the deck-beams W of the vessel, as shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 6. The pressure in the cylinder G is regulated by a properlyconstructed valve placed in some convenient position to be worked by a lever placed in the pilot-house, and is connected with the cylinder by the pipes J.

A is the rudder 5 V, the outline of the hull of a vessel, and U is the king-pin, which is to hold the rudder amidships on vessels having rudders at each end and steered by only one at a time. M are the sheaves carryingthe ropes N, connecting the tiller with the wheel in the pilot-house for steering by hand. 1

The stroke of the piston will be regulated will be as follows: One power-gear will be placed at each end of the boat and connected to each rudder. Both cylinders will be connected with a valve worked by a lever placed in the pilot-house, and so arranged that both rudders will be propelled either to port or starboard at the same time. Should it be found impracticable to steer the vessel by working both rudders at the same time, the pin K is pulled up, disconnecting the quadrantfrom the rudder at the bow, and the king-pinUdropped down to hold the rudder amidships. The boat is then steerd by the power-gear connected with the stern-rudder, and vice versa.

A stop-valve may be used to stop the working of one power-gear when only one rudder is used, or the cylinder of each power-gear may be connected to separate valves.

In case of any accident to the power-gear, or if it is desired to steer by the hand-gear, the pin K is removed from both quadrants, which will disconnect the power-gear entirely, and the boat can besteercd by the hand-gear with the same case and freedom as if no power-gear were applied.

The working of the apparatus on a vessel steered at the stern only is the same as on the vessel above described, excepting that only one power-gear is used instead of two.

I am aware that prior to my invention vessels have been steered by steam or hydraulic power by means of connecting a piston-rod with the rudder. I therefore do not claim such a construction, broadly.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- In a steering apparatus for vessels, the combination of piston-rod 0, eyes D, steel rope O, quadrant B, rudder-post A, pin K, and tiller L, substantially as shown and described, and 40 for the purpose specified.

LINUS W. BROWN.

Vitnesses:

F. H. BRINKMANN, G. W. OOWAN. 

